Remains Of World War II Military Pigeon Ignites Code Mystery (Bird Skeleton w/ Top Secret Code)

IO9 ^ | November 2, 2012 | George Dvorsky

[DogByte6RER]

A chimney in a home in Surrey, England, was found in 1982 to hold the remains of a carrier pigeon bearing a World War II coded message. An effort is now under way to find out what it says.

[Cyman]

Poor fellow most probably died from that triangle thingy around it’s neck.

[gotribe]

“Send more tea.”

[Defiant]

In before “Drink More Ovaltine”.

[2banana]

“Drink your Ovaltine”

[DogByte6RER]

Related background info ...

“MYSTERY PIGEON’S WAR SECRET”

The remains of a World War Two carrier pigeon which was lost in action 70 years ago while delivering a top secret message over enemy lines has been found in a chimney in Bletchingley, Surrey.

The skeleton of the bird has a small red cylinder attached to its foot which contains a mysterious cigarette paper sized coded message. The message is deemed so sensitive, that Codebreakers at GCHQ in Cheltenham are now frantically trying to decipher it.

Cont. http://www.bletchleypark.org/news/docview.rhtm/675670

[JRandomFreeper]

Several times a year, some poor airman from WWII gets found, a thread gets posted here, and I offer up my standard "God bless those that fly and fight" prayer.

I'm not sure that is appropriate for a pigeon.

It is pretty cool though.

No prayers for the skyrat, but I do appreciate his service.

/johnny

[Cyman]

The Cleveland link in this thread is obvious.

[1rudeboy]

I thank this pidgeon for its service.

[blueunicorn6]

“While waiting for pigeon, do not stand looking into sky with mouth open.”

[JRandomFreeper]

As I recall, there is still a lockdown on a lot of the Ultra stuff and Bletchly Park.

The Brits may not be legally able to release the message under the Official Secrets act.

/johnny

[JRandomFreeper]

Did you read the Tech Order? Or is that a field experience kind of thing. ;)

/johnny

[Kirkwood]

“Joseph Goebbels wears pretty pink knickers.”

[Nashvegas]

Tell Captain America this is where he can find me, I will be waiting.

Bucky

[Nashvegas]

Tell Captain America this is where he can find me, I will be waiting.

Bucky

[Joe 6-pack]

"An effort is now under way to find out what it says."

Looks like it was written in Pidgin English.

[Oztrich Boy]

Read thees very carefully, I shall write it only wence.

[DogByte6RER]

Photograph of a similar type of military carrier pigeon

[muir_redwoods]

“Eat less squab”

[blueunicorn6]

I was just glad it wasn’t an eagle.